Tantric Energy Systems: Chakras, Nadis & Subtle Body Anatomy

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to the Subtle Body

Beyond the physical body lies the subtle body—an intricate system of energy centers (chakras), channels (nadis), and vital forces (prana/lung) that form the foundation of tantric practice in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This subtle anatomy is not metaphorical but experiential: through meditation, yoga, and tantric techniques, practitioners directly perceive and work with these energies to achieve spiritual transformation, healing, and ultimately enlightenment. The seven main chakras along the central channel, the 72,000 nadis carrying prana, and the kundalini energy coiled at the base form a complete map for inner alchemy—transforming gross energy into subtle consciousness and realizing the unity of body, energy, and mind.

This comprehensive guide explores the tantric energy system, chakras, nadis, kundalini, and practices for awakening and balancing subtle body energies.

The Three Main Nadis

What are Nadis?

Nadi (नाडी): 'Channel' or 'flow'
Number: 72,000 nadis in the subtle body
Function: Carry prana (life force) throughout the body

The Three Primary Channels

1. Sushumna (सुषुम्णा) - Central Channel

• Location: Runs along the spine from base to crown
• Nature: Neutral, spiritual
• Color: Often depicted as white or transparent
• Function: Path of kundalini awakening
• Goal: Activate this channel for enlightenment

2. Ida (इडा) - Lunar Channel

• Location: Left side of the body, spirals around sushumna
• Nature: Feminine, cooling, receptive
• Color: White or pale blue
• Element: Moon, water
• Nostril: Left nostril
• Quality: Calm, introspective, mental

3. Pingala (पिङ्गला) - Solar Channel

• Location: Right side of the body, spirals around sushumna
• Nature: Masculine, heating, active
• Color: Red or golden
• Element: Sun, fire
• Nostril: Right nostril
• Quality: Dynamic, extroverted, physical

Balancing Ida and Pingala

• Most people have one channel dominant
• Balance creates harmony and health
• When balanced, prana enters sushumna
• Alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) balances them

The Seven Main Chakras

What are Chakras?

Chakra (चक्र): 'Wheel' or 'disk'
Nature: Energy centers where nadis intersect
Function: Transform and distribute prana
Appearance: Spinning wheels or lotus flowers

1. Muladhara (मूलाधार) - Root Chakra

Location: Base of spine, perineum
Element: Earth
Color: Red
Petals: 4
Seed Syllable: LAM
Deity: Ganesha (Hindu), Locana (Buddhist)

Qualities:

• Survival, grounding, stability
• Physical vitality and health
• Connection to earth and body
• Foundation for spiritual development

Imbalance: Fear, insecurity, physical weakness

2. Svadhisthana (स्वाधिष्ठान) - Sacral Chakra

Location: Lower abdomen, below navel
Element: Water
Color: Orange
Petals: 6
Seed Syllable: VAM

Qualities:

• Creativity, sexuality, pleasure
• Emotions and feelings
• Flow and adaptability
• Desire and passion

Imbalance: Emotional instability, addiction, sexual issues

3. Manipura (मणिपूर) - Solar Plexus Chakra

Location: Navel area
Element: Fire
Color: Yellow
Petals: 10
Seed Syllable: RAM

Qualities:

• Personal power, will, confidence
• Digestion (physical and mental)
• Transformation and action
• Self-esteem and identity

Imbalance: Low self-esteem, control issues, digestive problems

4. Anahata (अनाहत) - Heart Chakra

Location: Center of chest
Element: Air
Color: Green or pink
Petals: 12
Seed Syllable: YAM

Qualities:

• Love, compassion, connection
• Balance between lower and upper chakras
• Healing and harmony
• Unconditional love

Imbalance: Grief, loneliness, inability to love

5. Vishuddha (विशुद्ध) - Throat Chakra

Location: Throat
Element: Space/Ether
Color: Blue
Petals: 16
Seed Syllable: HAM

Qualities:

• Communication, expression, truth
• Creativity through sound
• Purification
• Authentic self-expression

Imbalance: Communication issues, dishonesty, thyroid problems

6. Ajna (आज्ञा) - Third Eye Chakra

Location: Between eyebrows
Element: Light/Mind
Color: Indigo or purple
Petals: 2
Seed Syllable: OM

Qualities:

• Intuition, insight, wisdom
• Inner vision and perception
• Command center (ajna = command)
• Transcendence of duality

Imbalance: Confusion, lack of clarity, headaches

7. Sahasrara (सहस्रार) - Crown Chakra

Location: Top of head
Element: Consciousness/Void
Color: Violet or white
Petals: 1,000 (infinite)
Seed Syllable: None (or silent OM)

Qualities:

• Enlightenment, unity, transcendence
• Connection to divine/cosmos
• Pure consciousness
• Liberation

Imbalance: Spiritual disconnection, existential crisis

Kundalini Shakti (कुण्डलिनी शक्ति)

The Serpent Power

Kundalini: 'Coiled one'
Nature: Dormant spiritual energy at the base of the spine
Form: Depicted as a coiled serpent (3.5 coils)Location: Muladhara chakra

Awakening Kundalini

The Process:

1. Kundalini awakens through practice
2. Rises through sushumna nadi
3. Pierces each chakra
4. Reaches sahasrara (crown)
5. Union with Shiva (consciousness)
6. Enlightenment achieved

Methods:

• Kundalini yoga
• Pranayama (breath work)
• Meditation and mantra
• Tantric practices
• Grace of a guru

Signs of Awakening

• Heat or energy rising up the spine
• Spontaneous movements or kriyas
• Visions and altered states
• Bliss and ecstasy
• Psychic abilities
• Deep insights and realizations

Warnings

• Kundalini awakening can be intense
• Requires proper preparation and guidance
• Can cause physical and psychological disturbances if unprepared
• Work with experienced teacher
• Ground and integrate experiences

Tibetan Buddhist Subtle Body

Differences from Hindu System

Tibetan Buddhism has similar but distinct subtle body anatomy:

• Channels: Central channel (uma), right (roma), left (kyangma)
• Chakras: Usually 4-6 main chakras (not always 7)
• Energy: Lung (wind/prana), not kundalini
• Goal: Dissolve winds into central channel for clear light realization

The Four/Five Chakras (Tibetan)

1. Crown: Great bliss
2. Throat: Enjoyment
3. Heart: Dharma (most important in Tibetan system)
4. Navel: Emanation
5. Secret (genitals): Sustaining bliss (in some systems)

Practices for Working with Subtle Body

Pranayama (Breath Work)

• Nadi Shodhana: Alternate nostril breathing (balances ida/pingala)
• Kapalabhati: Skull-shining breath (purifies nadis)
• Bhastrika: Bellows breath (awakens energy)

Chakra Meditation

1. Focus on each chakra sequentially
2. Visualize the color and symbol
3. Chant the seed syllable
4. Feel the qualities awakening
5. Move energy up the spine

Mantra and Visualization

• Seed syllables (bija mantras) for each chakra
• Visualize deities in chakras (tantric practice)
• Dissolve visualization into light

Further Study

Primary Texts:

• The Serpent Power by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe)
• Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
• The Six Yogas of Naropa (Tibetan Buddhist)

Conclusion

The tantric energy system—chakras, nadis, and kundalini—provides a complete map of the subtle body and the path of inner transformation. Through understanding and working with these energies, practitioners purify the channels, awaken the chakras, and ultimately raise kundalini to achieve enlightenment. Whether approached through Hindu tantra or Tibetan Buddhist practices, the subtle body is the vehicle for spiritual realization, transforming gross physical energy into subtle consciousness and recognizing the unity of body, energy, and mind in the awakened state.

May your channels be purified. May your chakras awaken. May kundalini rise safely to the crown.